More financial aid for Resource Centres

St.Vincent and the Grenadines has received gifts from Taiwan amounting to EC$4, 968, 820.

This took place as Dr.Tan Sun Chen, Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister concluded his official visit to this country on Thursday May 19. {{more}}

The cheques, presented to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves by the Taiwanese minister are toward the construction of four Learning Resource Centres, and an Agriculture Training Institute.

Members of parliament and the Taiwanese delegation witnessed the presentation, done at the Foreign Affairs Conference Room.

Four million dollars will go towards the construction of Learning Resource Centres in Marriaqua, Central Kingstown, South Windward and the Northern Grenadines while EC$500, 000 will be spent on the construction of the Agriculture Training Institute.

Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Douglas Slater, was also on hand to accept a cheque from Dr.Chen valuing EC$268, 820 for the purchase of medical equipment.

Mention was also made of a US$74, 399 that the Taiwanese gave to the police for the purchase of vehicles.

Dr.Chen praised St.Vincent and the Grenadines for continuing to remain committed to its cause in the international arena such as its interest in joining the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Taiwanese Foreign Affairs Minister said St.Vincent and the Grenadines support gives tremendous encouragement to Taiwan.

Dr.Chen stated that the hard work of the Taiwanese people over the years has created an economic miracle in Taiwan. He mentioned that at present Taiwan’s Gross Development Product (GDP) per capita income exceeds US$40,000 making the island nation the 5th largest trading company in the world.

He said Taiwan’s experience in development is a good example for developing countries to follow and stressed that if Taiwan can do it, St.Vincent and the Grenadines can also.

Dr.Gonsalves said the presence of the Taiwanese Foreign Affairs Minister and his wife follows an invitation which was extended when he visited Taiwan in October 2004 as a mark of friendship between both countries and to strengthen the existing relations.